Every four years, India conducts the world's most comprehensive wildlife survey - the All India Tiger Estimation (AITE). The 2026 edition is now underway, and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), the country's premier wildlife research institution based in Dehradun, is recruiting 50 Technical Assistants to support this landmark exercise in the field.
This is not a desk job. If you hold a Bachelor's degree in science or a 3-year engineering diploma, are under 50 years of age, and want to spend a year working in India's tiger habitats - conducting camera trapping, habitat assessment, and species identification - this is one of the most distinctive field positions available in Indian conservation science right now.
Online applications are open from June 16, 2026 and close on June 30, 2026. There is no offline application route - everything must be submitted through the WII Recruitment Portal.
- [Apply Online] at https://wiirp.com/application.php
- [PDF Download Link] – Download the official advertisement: Advt. No. WII/ADVT. 1/RP–CELL/ June, 2026 from https://wii.gov.in/recruitments
At a Glance: WII Technical Assistant Recruitment 2026
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Organization | Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun |
| Advertisement No. | WII/ADVT. 1/RP–CELL/ June, 2026 |
| Project | All India Tiger Estimation (AITE 2026) |
| Post Name | Technical Assistant |
| Total Vacancies | 50 (Fifty) |
| Monthly Emoluments | ₹27,000 + HRA |
| Upper Age Limit | 50 years |
| Project Duration | 1 Year (Likely to be extended) |
| Essential Qualification | BSc (Wildlife/Zoology/Ecology/Environment/Geoinformatics/Life Sciences/Agriculture/Forestry) OR 3-Year Engineering Diploma |
| Application Portal | https://wiirp.com/application.php |
| Application Opens | 16 June 2026 |
| Application Closes | 30 June 2026 |
| Application Fee | ₹500 (General) / ₹100 (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD) |
| Contact | [email protected] / [email protected] |
About the Employer: Wildlife Institute of India
The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India, headquartered at Chandrabani, Dehradun, Uttarakhand. Established in 1982, WII is internationally recognized for its expertise in wildlife research, biodiversity assessment, and conservation planning.
WII is the scientific backbone of India's tiger conservation programme and has been a key partner in every major tiger census conducted by the country. Selections for positions under WII carry strong academic and professional value for candidates pursuing careers in ecology, environmental science, and wildlife management.
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What Is AITE 2026 and Why Does This Project Matter?
The All India Tiger Estimation (AITE) is the most comprehensive wildlife population survey conducted anywhere in the world. It covers millions of hectares of forest across tiger range states, deploying thousands of camera traps and field surveyors to estimate tiger populations, identify individual animals, and assess the health of prey and habitat.
India's tiger population, monitored through AITE, has grown from under 1,500 in 2006 to over 3,000 in recent counts - a globally celebrated conservation success. The 2026 edition of AITE will use the most advanced protocols yet, incorporating software-based individual identification (Extract Compare), geo-tagged camera trap data, and digital data management systems such as CaTRAT (Camera Trap Data Repository and Analysis Tool).
The 50 Technical Assistants recruited under this advertisement will be on the ground and behind the screens making this estimation happen.
What Will You Actually Do? Description of Work
This section covers the specific tasks that Technical Assistants will carry out under AITE 2026. This is hands-on conservation science work requiring both field endurance and technical computer skills.
Field Work:
- Camera trap deployment and retrieval across designated forest zones
- Line transect surveys for estimating prey animal density
- Sign surveys for detecting tiger presence (pugmarks, scrapes, scats)
- Habitat assessment in tiger reserve landscapes
Technical and Data Processing Work:
- Processing camera trap photographs and geo-tagging using CaTRAT software
- Segregating photographs by species for all wildlife captured on camera traps
- Individual tiger and leopard identification using Extract Compare software and manual identification methods
- Data entry, management, and preparation of field reports
Candidates with prior experience in any of these activities - camera trapping, GIS applications, telemetry, line transects, or biodiversity surveys - will have a competitive advantage during shortlisting.
Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply?
Age Limit
The upper age limit for this position is 50 years. Age relaxation applies as per Government of India rules: SC/ST candidates receive 5 years of relaxation and OBC candidates receive 3 years, in accordance with DoPT OM No. 15012/2/2010-Estt.(D) dated 27.03.2012.
Essential Educational Qualification
Candidates must hold one of the following:
Option A – Bachelor's Degree in Science
In any of these disciplines from a recognized university:
- Wildlife Science
- Zoology
- Ecology
- Environmental Science
- Geoinformatics
- Life Sciences
- Agriculture
- Forestry
Option B – 3-Year Diploma in Engineering
From a recognized polytechnic or technical institution.
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
While not mandatory, the following will significantly strengthen a candidate's application:
- Prior experience in wildlife research or biodiversity assessment
- Hands-on experience with ecological field surveys
- Camera trapping and telemetry work
- GIS and remote sensing applications
- Data management and analysis skills
- Experience preparing technical reports for forest departments or research institutions
Shortlisting Criteria: How Will Candidates Be Scored?
One of the most important - and often overlooked - aspects of WII project recruitment is the merit-based shortlisting system. Meeting the minimum eligibility does not guarantee an interview call. Here is exactly how candidates for the Technical Assistant (Field/Lab/Project Assistant category) will be evaluated:
| Criterion | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|
| Percentage of Marks in Bachelor's Degree (as per essential qualification) | 25 Marks |
| Specialization relevance to the project applied (evidenced by internship, volunteering, or prior work experience in the relevant field) | 25 Marks |
| Total Score for Shortlisting | 50 Marks |
Only the top 10 shortlisted candidates against each advertised position will be called for the online interview. This means candidates with strong field experience in wildlife surveys, camera trapping, or ecological research will have a distinct advantage over those with academic qualifications alone.
Make sure your application clearly evidences your relevant specialization and field experience - internship certificates, volunteer letters, and prior employer certificates all count toward your 25 marks in the relevance criterion.
Monthly Emoluments and Project Duration
Selected Technical Assistants will receive a monthly consolidated emolument of ₹27,000 plus HRA (House Rent Allowance) as applicable. This is a project-based contractual position.
The initial project duration is one year, with a likelihood of extension depending on project requirements and satisfactory performance. Candidates should note that these are purely temporary, project-specific positions and will stand abolished upon completion of the AITE 2026 project. No claim for regular appointment at WII will arise from this engagement.
In-Hand Salary Calculator 2026
Application Fee: How Much and How to Pay
The application fee structure differs by category. Payment must be completed before submitting the online application, and the payment receipt must be uploaded as part of the form.
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General Category | ₹500 |
| SC / ST / OBC / EWS (Non-General) | ₹100 (Processing Fee only) |
| Physically Challenged (PwD) | ₹100 (Processing Fee only) |
Payment Methods Accepted:
Online/Electronic: NEFT / RTGS / Internet Banking / UPI (BHIM, PhonePe, Google Pay, Paytm)
Bank Details for NEFT/RTGS/Offline:
- Account Name: RRP Cell Revolving / Director Wildlife Institute of India
- Bank: Union Bank of India
- Branch: Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun – 248 001
- Account No.: 518502010059776
- IFSC Code: UBIN0551856
The application and processing fee is non-refundable once paid, regardless of whether the application is later rejected, not shortlisted, or the applicant withdraws.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step Application Process
WII accepts online applications only. No printed or posted application will be considered under any circumstances. Here is the complete process:
Step 1 – Gather Your Documents First
Before opening the application form, scan and keep the following ready in digital format:
- Educational qualification certificates and all marksheets
- Work experience certificates (mentioning exact start and end dates, from employer/guide/supervisor)
- Reserved category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS), if applicable
- UGC/CSIR NET certificate (if any)
- Publications or conference paper details (if any)
- Passport size photograph
- Digital signature
- Application processing fee payment receipt
Step 2 – Pay the Application Fee
Complete payment via UPI, NEFT, RTGS, or internet banking to the account details provided above. Save the payment receipt/screenshot for upload.
Step 3 – Fill the Online Application Form
Visit https://wiirp.com/application.php and complete the application. Enter all educational details exactly as they appear on your marksheets - no approximations or corrections will be accepted after submission.
Step 4 – Upload All Supporting Documents
Attach all scanned copies of certificates, marksheets, experience letters, category certificate, fee receipt, photo, and signature. Incomplete applications missing any of these will be rejected without any notice.
Step 5 – Submit Before the Deadline
The portal closes on June 30, 2026. Applications submitted after this date will not be entertained.
Special Conditions You Must Know Before Applying
Several conditions in this recruitment could lead to automatic rejection if overlooked. Read these carefully:
Current WII Employees/Scholars Must Attach an NOC
If you are currently working on any WII project, involved in a WII research activity, or are a PhD scholar supervised at WII, you must submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) dated not more than one month before the last application date. This must be issued by your Project Investigator, Supervisor, or Nodal Officer.
Former WII Employees Must Submit a No Dues Certificate
If you have previously worked at WII in any capacity, you must obtain and submit a No Dues Certificate from WII before applying.
Applying for More Than One Post
You may apply for a maximum of two advertised positions, provided you meet the eligibility for each. Each position requires a separate online application with a full set of supporting documents and a separate fee payment. Applications missing documents for any position will be rejected for that position.
Canvassing Gets You Disqualified
Any form of canvassing or attempted influence on the selection committee will result in immediate rejection of candidature.
Original Documents at Joining
All shortlisted candidates must produce original certificates and documents at the time of joining. Any candidate found to have misrepresented or concealed facts at any stage - even after selection - will be disqualified or terminated.
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Selection Process: From Application to Appointment
Understanding the full selection pipeline helps you prepare at each stage.
Stage 1 – Application Screening
All applications are reviewed for completeness and basic eligibility. Incomplete applications or those missing required documents/fee receipts will be rejected at this stage.
Stage 2 – Merit-Based Shortlisting
Eligible applications are scored on the 50-point criteria (25 marks for academic percentage + 25 marks for field/research relevance). Only the top 10 candidates per position will be called for the interview.
Stage 3 – Online Interview
A duly constituted Selection Committee at WII conducts online interviews for shortlisted candidates. Candidates must arrange their own internet access for the interview.
Stage 4 – Announcement of Results
The list of shortlisted candidates for interview and the final selection results will be published in the "Latest News & Announcements" section at https://wii.gov.in/news. No individual intimation will be sent separately.
Stage 5 – Joining
Selected candidates must join the project position immediately within the period specified in the Offer Letter. Delay in joining may result in the offer being cancelled.
Note: WII reserves the right to consider a candidate for a lower-grade position if found not suitable for the post applied, as per the Interview Committee's recommendation.
Important Dates for WII AITE 2026 Technical Assistant Recruitment
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Opens | 16 June 2026 |
| Online Application Closes | 30 June 2026 |
| Shortlist Publication | To be announced at wii.gov.in/news |
| Online Interviews | To be announced after shortlisting |
| Expected Joining | Shortly after selection (as per Offer Letter) |

